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David Nathan (born 15 February 1949) is a British-born soul music historian, journalist, author, founder of Soul Music.com singer and record producer, based in the U.K. and U.S.

Early life

Born in London, he set up the UK's first Nina Simone Appreciation Society at the age of 16. In 1966, with Dave Godin and Robert Blackmore, he established Soul City, the first record store outside the US specialising in American rhythm and blues and soul music and which also became a record label. It was credited with helping to inspire the popularity of the music in the UK.^[1][2]

Writing and media career

From 1970, he worked for Contempo Records and as a journalist for Blues & Soul magazine in London. In 1975 he moved to America as the magazine's correspondent and contributing editor, interviewing hundreds of musicians and record producers until the magazine's ownership changed in 1981.^[1][2] After a period working for Werner Erhard and Associates, he wrote the book "Lionel Richie: An Illustrated Biography," began writing biographies and doing freelance journalism, writing for Billboard, USA Today and others including Blues & Soul which he rejoined in the mid-1980s. He also began writing record company bios for major artists and producers such as Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Usher, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Gamble & Huff, Raphael Saadiq and others. producing over 500 reissues of classic rhythm and blues and soul music CDs. An extensive list of his credits including 2008 co-production of "Songs 4 Worship Soul" (with Melba Moore, Teddy Pendergrass, Deniece Williams, Jody Watley, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle and others) for Time Life can be found at Allmusic ^[1]

In 1990 he set up a media coaching and training service for R&B artists, was given the first journalist award by The Internatioal Association of African-American Music (IAAAM) and authored his second book, "The Soulful Divas" in 1999. In 2001 he started www.soulmusic.com, the top-rated soul music website. He also became secretary and board member of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. In 2004 he co-wrote a biography of Nina Simone, "Break Down and Let it All Out". ^[2]

Recording career

In the 1990s, encouraged by friends including Doris Troy and Bonnie Raitt, he began a parallel singing career, releasing his first CD, Reinvention, in 2003 on his own Nefer Music label. In 2007, he released his second album, Wistful Elegance, with jazz/R&B group Pharaoh's Dream.^[1][2]

References

External links

• soulmusic.com